Panama City, Panama, May 28 (CNA): Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso played host to a gala national banquet in honor of visiting Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian and the ROC First Lady at the Presidential Office located in the old quarter of Panama City.
Chen expressed his heartfelt thanks to his Panamanian counterpart for hospitalities extended to him and his entourage.
Chen pointed out that Panama, which means the "home of fish and rice," reminds him that Taiwan was also once known as the "beautiful island." Both Taiwan and Panama have been well treated by God, Chen said.
Chen went on to say that relations between the ROC and Panama are cordial and close and exchanges of visits by both government leaders are frequent. He described the bilateral ties as a "pair of passionate lover."
Moscoso was the first foreign leader Chen received in Taipei shortly after he assumed power last May, Chen said. Moscoso also visited Taiwan in 1993.
Chen visited Panama twice in 1984 and in 1996. He is now paying a third visit to Panama in his capacity as president of the Republic of China, he said, adding that he and his wife were moved by the warm welcome and hospitality extended to them.
Chen further pointed out that Moscoso's taking power on the eve of the beginning of a new century and the conversion of the Panama Canal to the jurisdiction of Panama were important milestones in Panamanian history.
Chen also hailed the good performance of the Moscoso-led government in national construction, building a clean government and addressing poverty.
He said that he just completed his first year in power and he completely understood that only in a stable political situation can reform be smoothly implemented and the economy improved. Chen said that his concept of governing a nation is similar to that of Moscoso.
Chen said it is his firm belief that both the ROC and Panama, with similar historic pasts, will make identical effort to build a fair and just society.
Speaking on his trip to Panama, Chen said that in addition to meeting with Moscoso and other Panamanian government officials to exchange views on how to strengthen bilateral relations, a group of ROC entrepreneurs who are accompanying him on the trip will exchange views with their Panamanian counterparts on the investment and trade to create a new era for relations between the two countries.
Chen called for an all out effort by the two countries to go forward, hand in hand, to the 21st century so "our younger generation can be proud of us."
Chen, accompanied by his wife and a large entourage, arrived in Panama Monday from Guatemala for a two-day state visit.